chapter 5 _ The Deal That Changes Everything

Selene’s POV

"Good morning, Mr. Silverfang." I repeated.

I sounded calm, but I felt that my heart was beating too fast inside.

Lucian Silverfang gazed over the big desk at me. His face was cold and indifferent, as though nothing out of the ordinary had occurred between us up till today.

"Good morning, Miss Blackwood," he answered in a polite way.

No reaction. No recognition. Nothing. I thought a moment that he really did not remember me. Perhaps, that last night was nothing to him. Perhaps he had forgotten my features already.

Or not! Funny that that should go through my head. I soon suppressed the feeling, however. I was not here on personal grounds. My mother’s legacy had come to see me.

Lucian slightly leaned back in his chair.

"You requested this interview," he said, "and I give it to you. What can I help you with?"

He spoke in a detached professional manner.

I straightened in my seat.

"I started by saying my name, Selene Blackwood. My deceased mother had a company called Blackwood Elixirs, which dealt with herbal elixirs."

Lucian made a little nod but did not interrupt.

"My mother is the one who made the company," I added. "It worked well over several years but once she got sick, everything began to unravel. I inherited the business after her demise."

I hesitated a moment and went on.

“But, when I was mated the company was registered under the name of my ex-mate.”

The eyebrows of Lucian moved a little.

"Your ex-mate?" he asked.

“My ex-mate,” I corrected myself.

Something momentarily faded before his eyes, and was gone.

“I divorced him a few days ago,” I added.

Lucian clasped his hands together.

"And his name?" he asked.

"Darius Grimclaw."

The smile of Lucian came out faintly on his lips for the first time since I had stepped into the room.

“Darius Grimclaw,” he repeated slowly.

The manner in which he mentioned the name made it obvious that he was fully aware of who Darius was.

I continued speaking. “I found the company was still in his name. I want it back."

Lucian observed me without making a comment.

“He has the best legal team,” I added. “Nobody is going to even consider taking the case once they hear his name.”

“And that's the reason you came here,” he said.

"Yes." I met his gaze directly. “I heard that you were the only wolf who could stand a chance against him."

Lucian sat back in his chair and examined me.

There was a pause of some seconds.

Finally, he spoke.

“You want me to take on Darius Grimclaw in court?“

"Yes." I said, firmly.

"And you expect to win?" He asked.

"I must have justice," I said to him.

His mouth had curled in at the corner. "You're confident."

"I'm determined." I corrected.

He showed his fingers a slight tap on the desk.

“Selene—sorry, Miss Blackwood, tell me something,” he said. "Should the company have been transferred, legally, to your ex-mate, why do you think that the court will give it back to you?”

I didn't hesitate.

“Because it was never his,” I said. "My mother built it. I have papers to prove it.”

Lucian nodded slowly. "I see."

He got on his feet and strolled to the window behind his desk.

He just was looking out at the city below a moment.

Then he turned back to me.

"I will require time to look into your case," he said.

My shoulders were a little tensed.

"How long?"

"A week." Came his simple reply.

I hesitated.

"A week?" I repeated.

"I want you to have the whole of the situation to represent me," said he. "That cover, your company files, your divorce and the legal standing of Darius Grimclaw. To add to it, you are the luna of my biggest rival—ex-luna, I must be aware of what I am getting into. This is not business, but personal."

That made sense.

Nevertheless, another week was unendurable.

But I had no choice.

"Alright," I said.

Lucian nodded once.

"Your documents will be received by my assistant before you walk out."

I stood up slowly.

I went on to say, "Thank you, meeting you."

He simply gave a small nod. I walked round and headed to the door with my head going round. My reunion with him had upset me more than I had anticipated.

That night had been reckless.

A mistake.

But now the same wolf could determine the future of the distillery of my mother.

As I went to the door I hesitated a moment. Lucian was already glancing round to the papers on his desk, and fully concentrated.

I went out of the door and shut it behind me. The following seven days were very long. I was getting up each morning and wondering whether Lucian Silverfang would call. Night after night I was asking myself whether he had already determined to dismiss my case.

Mira tried to reassure me.

"Well, that is a good sign, if he consented to go through it," she said.

"I hope you're right," I replied.

My phone ringing finally came on the seventh day.

I grabbed it immediately.

"Hello?"

"Miss Blackwood."

The low-pitched voice on the other was undisguised.

Lucian Silverfang.

My heart skipped.

"Yes, Mr. Silverfang."

"I have looked over your case," he said. "I'd like to meet with you again."

"When?" Came my eager reply.

"Tomorrow morning. My office." He answered.

"I'll be there."

The call ended shortly after.

The following day I went back to the headquarters of Silverfang Pack Holdings.

The same secretary welcomed me and gave me an indication of returning to the office of Lucian. My nerves were worse this time than they had been the last time. As I walked into the room Lucian was already ready.

"Please sit," he said.

I sat down across from him.

"Well?" I asked carefully. "Did you review the case?"

"Yes." He said.

"And?"

Lucian drew himself back.

"I can win it."

Relief rushed through me.

“You can?”

“Yes,” he said calmly. “Darius Grimclaw built his legal defense on the fact that the distillery was voluntarily transferred to him. But with the right argument, that claim can be challenged and since he well…is Darius, I can’t lose.”

Hope filled my chest.

“So you’ll take the case?”

He nodded but then he paused.

“But under one condition.”

My stomach tightened.

“What condition?”

Lucian looked directly at me.

His gaze was calm but intense.

“You become my luna for six months.”

For a moment, I thought I had misheard him.

“I’m sorry… what?”

“You heard me,” he said calmly.

“You want me to pretend to be your luna?” I asked in disbelief.

“Yes.”

I stared at him.

“Why would you ask for something like that?”

Lucian didn’t look embarrassed or uncomfortable at all.

“Because it benefits both of us,” he said simply.

“That makes no sense,” I said.

“It will.”

I shook my head, completely stunned.

“You’re an Alpha CEO,” I said. “You could claim any luna you want.”

“Perhaps,” he replied calmly. “But I’m asking you.”

My mind raced.

“This is ridiculous,” I said.

“Is it?” he asked.

I stood up slightly from my chair. “You want me to fake a mating bond with you just so you’ll help me recover my mother’s distillery?”

“Yes.” He replied calmly.

“And if I refuse?”

Lucian met my eyes without hesitation.

“Then I won’t take your case.”